Stop Losing 70% of Your First-Time Donors: The 90-Day Game Plan That Changes Everything

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You're doing great at attracting new donors, but here's the brutal truth: most nonprofits lose 70% of first-time donors who never give a second gift. If this sounds familiar, you're literally watching potential lifelong supporters slip through your fingers—and missing out on massive revenue.

What if there was a proven system to flip those numbers?

In this episode, host Jeremy Reis reveals the 90-day cultivation journey that transforms one-time donors into committed supporters. You'll discover why the first 90 days after someone's initial gift is the make-or-break period that determines whether they'll support you for one year or twenty years.

You'll learn the exact 7-step sequence that successful organizations use:

• The 24-hour acknowledgment that makes donors feel truly seen (not just receipted)
• The one-week impact report that shows their specific gift in action
• Why personal connection within 30 days skyrockets retention rates
• The "insider access" psychology that creates belonging
• When and how to make that crucial second ask

Real results: One animal shelter used this system to boost their retention rate from 17% to 25% in just one year, with retained donors giving 40% more in their second year.

Perfect for: Development staff and nonprofit leaders who are tired of the "acquire and pray" approach to donor cultivation.

Featured: Angela from a Richmond food pantry who brought in 800 new donors but kept only 12%—and the specific strategies that can turn her numbers around.

The bottom line: Stop treating donors like transactions and start treating them like the lifetime partners they could become. This episode gives you the exact roadmap to make it happen.

Ready to Hire Your First Development Director? This Episode Is Your Roadmap to Success

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If you're an executive director who's been juggling fundraising with everything else and your board is pushing you to hire your first development director, this episode is exactly what you need. Host Jeremy Reis tackles the biggest fears and questions around this critical hire: What should you look for in candidates? How much should you pay? How do you transition donor relationships without losing them?

You'll discover:

• Why the skills that made YOU successful at fundraising are different from what your development director needs
• The biggest mistake nonprofits make when writing job descriptions (and how to avoid it)
• Whether to hire for experience or potential (the answer might surprise you)
• A realistic salary range for organizations with budgets like yours
• How to manage the 12-18 month ramp-up period without panicking about immediate results
• A proven strategy for transitioning donor relationships that keeps everyone happy

Action Item: Write a customized job description that reflects your organization's actual needs and current fundraising activities.

Master Class From Zero: Build a Fundraising Program That Actually Works (Even If You're Starting with Nothing)

Starting fundraising from scratch? Overwhelmed by all the advice telling you to do everything at once? Most fundraising guidance assumes you already have donors, systems, and resources - but what if you're literally starting with zero?

This isn't another generic fundraising overview. This is the step-by-step roadmap for building sustainable fundraising from the ground up, designed specifically for new nonprofits, organizations that have never done systematic fundraising, or leaders who've inherited programs that aren't working.

In this comprehensive master class, you'll discover:

• The Foundation First Principle - why starting with systems before donors prevents the chaos that destroys most new fundraising programs
• Your First Donor Strategy - how to identify and cultivate supporters from your existing network when you have no donor database
• The Three-Channel Approach that builds sustainable revenue without overwhelming your capacity (and why trying to do everything leads to doing nothing well)
• Board Fundraising for Reluctant Members - how to get board support and participation even when they "don't like asking for money"
• Essential Systems on a Budget - the minimum technology and processes you need to track donors and measure success without breaking the bank
• The 18-Month Timeline that shows exactly when to add each fundraising activity so you build momentum instead of burning out
• Revenue Goal Reality Check - how to set fundraising targets that challenge you without setting you up for failure

Perfect for: New executive directors, organizations launching their first real fundraising efforts, and leaders who feel like they're throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something sticks.

The reality check: You don't need a million-dollar budget or decades of experience to build effective fundraising. You need the right sequence, realistic expectations, and systems that match your actual capacity.

Why this approach works: Instead of trying to copy what established organizations do, you'll build a program designed for your size, resources, and goals - one that grows with you instead of overwhelming you.

One startup nonprofit went from having no systematic fundraising to raising $45,000 in their first year using this foundation-first approach.

Stop feeling behind and start building the fundraising foundation your mission deserves.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising That Actually Works: Turn Your Supporters into Fundraising Champions

Tired of peer-to-peer campaigns that barely break even? Most nonprofits launch peer-to-peer fundraising with high hopes, only to watch 80% of participants raise less than $100 while a few superstars carry the entire campaign.

The problem isn't your supporters - it's your approach. The organizations crushing it with peer-to-peer aren't just asking people to "create a fundraising page." They're using psychology-based strategies that make fundraising feel natural and achievable for ordinary supporters.

In this game-changing episode, you'll discover:

• Why most peer-to-peer campaigns fail (and it's not what you think)
• The "5-Friend Formula" that turns reluctant participants into confident fundraisers
• Pre-launch secrets that determine success before you even announce the campaign
• The "Story Bridge" technique that helps supporters share your cause authentically
• Social media strategies that actually generate donations (not just likes)
• How to support participants without micromanaging or overwhelming them

Perfect for: Development staff and executive directors who want to multiply their fundraising capacity through supporter networks, especially those frustrated with past peer-to-peer attempts.

Real results: Organizations using this approach typically see 300-500% increases in average participant fundraising, with 60% of participants exceeding their initial goals.

The breakthrough insight: Successful peer-to-peer isn't about recruiting natural fundraisers - it's about giving ordinary supporters the tools, confidence, and support to become effective advocates for your cause.

Stop depending on a few superstar fundraisers and start building systems that help every participant succeed.

The Donor Communications Master Class: Transform One-Time Givers into Lifelong Supporters

Most nonprofits send donor communications that feel like organizational newsletters - updates about programs, staff changes, and general "what we've been up to" content. But the organizations that build lasting donor relationships understand that effective donor communication isn't about informing supporters - it's about making them feel like essential partners in your mission.

In this comprehensive master class, you'll discover:

• The Psychology of Donor Engagement: Why donors stop giving (hint: it's rarely about money) and the communication triggers that keep them connected long-term
• The 4-Part Donor Communication Framework: The proven structure that turns routine updates into relationship-building powerhouses that increase donor retention by 40%+
• Message Sequencing That Works: How to map donor communications throughout the year so every touchpoint builds on the previous one, creating deeper engagement over time
• The "Hero's Journey" Approach: How to position donors as the heroes of your impact stories (not your organization) and why this psychological shift dramatically increases giving
• Channel Strategy for Maximum Impact: When to use email vs. direct mail vs. phone calls for different types of messages and donor segments
• Measuring What Matters: Beyond open rates and click-through rates - the engagement metrics that actually predict future giving and donor lifetime value

Perfect for: Development directors, executive directors, and communications staff who want to stop losing donors after their first gift and start building relationships that last for decades.

Microsoft's Nonprofit Grant Changes: Emergency Action Required for Your Organization

URGENT: If your nonprofit uses Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Office 365 E1 through Microsoft's grant program, this episode could save your organization thousands of dollars.

Microsoft just announced they're ending their most valuable nonprofit grants - and most nonprofit leaders have no idea what's coming or how to prepare for it.

Your organization could face unexpected costs of $1,000-$5,000+ annually if you don't act now.

In this emergency episode, you'll discover:

• Exactly what Microsoft is eliminating and when it affects your organization
• The hidden costs most nonprofits aren't calculating (it's not just the software licenses)
• 4 immediate actions you must take this week to protect your budget
• Alternative solutions that might actually work better than Microsoft (and cost less)

Critical for: Any nonprofit currently using Microsoft grants, considering applying for Microsoft grants, or responsible for technology budgeting and planning.

Time-sensitive: Microsoft hasn't announced exact deadlines (possibly July 1 for some organizations), but organizations that wait to address this will have fewer options and face higher costs.

The bottom line: This change affects thousands of nonprofits and could blindside organizations that don't plan ahead. But with the right strategy, you can navigate this transition without breaking your budget or disrupting your operations.

Don't get caught unprepared. Listen now and take action before this impacts your organization's bottom line.